Don’t think for a second that because David Stern is stepping down that the NBA’s quest for global dominance is ending — they will continue to spread the gospel of NBA hoops around the globe. Stern will still play a large part in that.

First, the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs will play at the Mexico City Arena on Dec. 4.

Six weeks later, the Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn Nets will tip it off in London for a game at The O2 on Jan. 16.

Neither of these are new venues for the NBA for games.

In the preseason the NBA is sending teams all over the globe — the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards will be involved in games from Brazil to the Philippines, as well as there being games in Bilbao, Spain, and Manchester, England. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will be in the Philippines but the popular star isn’t expected to play as he still will be recovering from his Achilles injury.